'All promises needn't be fulfilled': Ajit rules out farm loan waiver for now

CM Fadnavis echoes deputy CM; farmer leaders slam govt for 'betrayal'; Oppn says Mahayuti has shown its 'true colours'

- Faisal Malik

MUMBAI: It was one of the Mahayuti alliance's major election promises, which is why state finance minister Ajit Pawar's words hit hard when he announced that the state would not be waiving loans taken by farmers any time soon.

Pawar, who is also deputy chief minister, added the state government is not in a position to waive farm loans for the next two years, and insisted that farmers repay pending loans within the stipulated deadline. His words cut deeper, backed as they were by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. "Whatever stand is taken by Ajitdada is the stand of the state government," Fadnavis said on Saturday. He reminded farmers that Pawar had not altogether cancelled the waiver.

Pawar, who has been voicing concern over the state's precarious financial situation, chose his hometown, Baramati, to deliver the shocker. "Today is March 28 and I am asking everyone to repay their farm loans by March 31. You mustn't assume that everything you've been promised will become a reality," he said on Friday. The message was clear - farmers should not be under the illusion that their loans would be waived.